Marine Life

Sharks

Sharks can be found worldwide and are some of the most sought after creatures by divers. The largest of the sharks is the whale shark which can measure up to 12.65m (41.5ft) in length and weigh up to 36 tonnes, whilst the smallest is the dwarf lanternshark which can grow up to 17cm in length and is not very heavy! The life span of a shark varies hugely between species, but the spiny dogfish is thought to live up to 100 years. Sharks are hugely effective predators thanks to their keenly attuned senses: a shark can hear a distressed fish in the water from more than a mile away.

Where to see sharks

Let's face it, sharks have a bad reputation, thanks in no small
part to Steven Spielberg's 1975 classic Jaws. However, we - and
most divers - think these magnificent creatures should be admired
and protected rather than feared.

These fish have been around since before the dinosaurs,
diversifying along the way into some 400 different species from the
tiny six inch dwarf lanternshark, to the biggest fish in the sea,
the harmless whale shark, that reaches in excess of 40 feet in
length. In between is an incredible array of beautiful fish.

Common varieties that you are likely to encounter on our trips
include white and black tip reef shark, grey reef shark, bull
shark, nurse shark and hammerhead shark but if you are lucky, and
pick your spot right, there are all sorts of wonderous shark
species waiting to be found.

Scattered like dabs of possibility on an adventurer’s palette, the Bahamas are ready-made for exploration. Just ask Christopher Columbus, he bumped against these limestone landscapes in 1492 and changed the course of history.

Within the coral triangle, the centre of marine biodiversity which has the highest diversity of tropical fish and coral in the world, are the waters of New Britain. Diverse and colourful corals are home to a variety of marine creatures including fish, crustaceans and invertebrates.

These waters are famed for the current and big pelagics that come with it. The place used to be overrun with sharks but dubious finning practices have reduced numbers significantly. However, since this practice was stopped, the sharks have been returning and on some dives it is now not uncommon to see up to 20 reef sharks (grey reef, white and black tip) on a single dive.